Volunteering at the feet of Eyjafjallajökull

WORK/PROJECT:

For the third year in a row SEEDS volunteers will be working at a farm in the South of Iceland, on the feet of the mighty and famous Eyjafjallajökull, which last erupted in 2010. Our tasks will mainly be focused on improving the environment in and preparing the place for the winter.

We will assist in cleaning up the area, clearnig old fences and replacing them, painting and preparing the farm for winter in various ways. Volunteers will be able to assist in regular farm work such as milking, riding and collecting hay.  

We will have the opportunity to live and work with an Icelandic family, participating in the diverse tasks that they are involved in, in their daily lives. This is a unique opportunity to get to know and to experience first-hand how a family in the countryside lives. The farm is big, with sheep, cows and horses, have their own produce and we will have the opportunity to work and learn about that.

The working plan will be flexible and it will depend on the needs of our hosts, the advance of the diverse projects in the area and of course on the weather conditions.

ACCOMMODATION:

In this camp volunteers will be hosted in a farmhouse, sleeping on mattresses on the floor. Volunteers will have to bring their own sleeping bag. The house is a fully equipped home, with access to a kitchen, bathroom and washing machine.

We will share the different duties of cooking and cleaning. Do not forget to bring some traditional or typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION:

The work camp is in the beautiful south lowlands of Iceland in an active Icelandic farm in south Iceland. We will be able to explore and enjoy the south Icelandic lowland, which is made out of sand and rock sediments delivered by the river Þjórsá during the last centuries. The land is covered mostly by green grass and the closeness of the ocean can be felt in the air. The Southern district is known by its geothermal activity which helped to develop important greenhouse agriculture important in the area. Small earthquakes that can rarely be felt are very common in the area since the mid-Atlantic ridge goes across Iceland and the southern lowlands is situated between the two largest tectonic plates in the world, the Eurasian and North American plate.

The south of Iceland is one of the most popular destinations for travellers as the landscape offers diverse and breathtaking nature. Rivers and waterfalls, mountains, glaciers and long beaches form a contrast and offer a wide range of experiences.

In this area you will find some of Iceland's most beautiful places, like Þórsmörk, Tindfjöll, Eyjafjallajökull, Skógarfoss, Seljalandsfoss (a waterfall you can walk behind)and Paradísarhellir (Paradise Cave) in addition to finding unique natural and geological heritage sites and relics of a centuries-old forest.

LANGUAGE:

English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

TERMINAL:

Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and vice-versa, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS:

Participation fee EUR 180 (Euros).

Volunteers need to be motivated to work outdoors and be willing to take part in all the diverse projects connected with the project. The work is physical and can be demanding.

Place of extreme beautiful natural surroundings with countless opportunities to hike and discover it by foot.

Age: 18+